Tendinopathy from Overuse: Overview and a New(er) Treatment Option Robert Flannery MD Assistant Professor, Division of Sports Medicine Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine Assistant Medical Physician, Cleveland Browns Lead Medical Physician, Oberlin College Assistant Medical Physician, Kent State University January 18 th 2019 1
Tendinopathy Tendinosis vs Tendinitis: which one is it? Typically there is an absence of pro-inflammatory cells histopathologically. Inflammation is seen after acute injuries or with paratendinitis. Usually see disorganized tissue, ie chronic degenerative changes Scarring Failed healing response 2
Tendinopathy 3
Tendinopathy 4
Tendinopathy Intrinsic Extrinsic Factors Increased Age Increased Body Mass Gender Biomechanical abnormalities Prior tendon lesion Training errors Environmental conditions Poor equipment Poor ergonomics Fluoroquinolone use 5
Tendinopathy Intrinsic Factors Age Over the age of 35 Collagen turnover slows Cross-links accumulate Stiffer muscle tendon unit Adolescents: Injury at the biomechanical weak points, origin/insertion Gender: different parts of the body are affected differently by gender Jumpers knee in men De Quervain s in women 6
Tendinopathy Intrinsic Factors Biomechanical abnormalities Abnormal posture Foot issues Flat foot High arch Subtalar joint stiffness 7
Tendinopathy Extrinsic Factors Training Errors Sudden increase in volume or weight Inadequate rest Poor environmental conditions Hard floors Cambered roads Poor ergonomics Inadequate equipment Wornout shoes Bike seat height Grip size 8
Tendinopathy Clinical Findings Pain with Palpation Pain with tendon loading Thickening of the tendon Crepitus +/- weakness 9
Tendinopathy - Imaging MRI: gold standard Ultrasound Improvements have allowed trained MSK ultrasonographers to be able to diagnose the underlying conditions Tendon subluxation/dislocation dynamic exam Paratendinitis fluid within the tendon sheath Partial tendon tears - hypoechogenicity within the tendon Neovascularization helps confirm tendonosis Can affect threshold for allowing return to activity 10
Percutaneous Needle Tenotomy Old Options for treatment Physical Therapy: mainstay of treatment for me Steroid injections: will do one, if at all Inhibit collagen synthesis, possibly increasing the risk of tendon rupture. Reduce pain initially, but ultimately have increased recurrence rates Have not been shown to improve long term outcomes. Surgical release and debridement: last option, no great surgeries for tendinopathy, either acute or chronic New(er) Options for treatment PRP Dry Needling Cupping Tenex TenJet 11
Percutaneous Needle Tenotomy Conservative RICE/Activity modification Physical therapy OTC Medication Steroid injections Moderate PRP Tenex TenJet Aggressive Surgery Mainstay of treatment 12
Percutaneous Needle Tenotomy First commercially available in Feb 2103 Tenex was the first to market, with TenJet following a few years later. Older technology that was initially used in cataract removal (Tenex) and wound debridement (TenJet). Very good safety profile: 2 unintended releases in 6 years across the country (~200,000), very low incidence of infection, and low bleeding risk. 75% of those treated improve Those that don t improve, don t get worse 13
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Tendinopathy 15
TenJet 16
Tenex 17
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There are three types of lies, lies, damn lies, and statistics. - Mark Twain 19
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Percutaneous Needle Tenotomy No restrictions before the procedure, but I will wait 30 days after a steroid injection Short procedure time, usually less than 20 minutes Little to no pain during the procedure Same day procedure Low risk of infection, bleeding, or tendon tearing Post Procedure OTC pain medications PRN No lifting more than a coffee cup or partial weight bearing for 10 days to 2 weeks. No lifting more than 5lbs or normal walking from week 2 to week 6. Return to full activity at 6 weeks. 21
Tendinopathy Positioning 22
Percutaneous Needle Tenotomy Case #1 19 year old male soccer player with an 18 month history of left proximal patella tendonitis. Failed conservative treatment with rest, ice, activity modification, tendon strap (bracing), oral OTCs, and extensive physical therapy. Confirmed with MRI to be in the proximal lateral aspect of the tendon Visualized on ultrasound Failed steroid injection and PRP x2. 23
Percutaneous Needle Tenotomy Case #1 Tenex on proximal lateral patella tendon Post op Nonweight bearing in a hinged brace locked at 60 degrees for 2 weeks Recheck @ 2 weeks well healed incision Weight bearing as tolerated, unlocked brace Started physical therapy Progress slowly Recheck @ 6 weeks improved tendon thickness, very little hypoechogenisity, no neovascularization Recheck @ 9 weeks sport specific training, no pain, return to play, finished PT, doing well. 24
Percutaneous Needle Tenotomy Case #2 57 year old music teacher and drummer Bilateral elbow extensor wad tendonitis for 8 months Unable to drum for the last 3 months Failed conservative treatment with rest, ice, immobilization, tendon straps, oral OTCs, and physical therapy Expected physical exam Visualized on ultrasound with neovascularization 25
Percutaneous Needle Tenotomy Case #2 Tenex on bilateral common extensor tendons Post op No lifting heavier than a coffee cup for 2 weeks. Follow up @ 2 weeks both incisions well healed. No lifting heavier than 5lbs for the next 4 weeks, no drumming No physical therapy Setback at 3 weeks drummed AMA Follow up @ 6 weeks doing very well. Pain resolved. Drumming without pain. 26
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